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Lululemon Athletica has appointed former Nike executive Maggie Gauger as its president and chief product officer, creating a new role that brings design, merchandising, footwear, product innovation and materials science under one leader. The move, announced Wednesday, October 7, is part of a broader leadership restructuring by CEO Heidi O’Neill as the athletic-apparel company seeks to strengthen its products and competitive position.
Gauger is scheduled to start October 26. Lululemon also named Joseph Godsey chief operating officer, effective the same day, while announcing that two senior executives will leave in November. The changes put product development and operations at the center of the new structure, but the company has not announced a timetable for several other executive searches.
A broader remit for product
Gauger joins from Athleta, Gap’s performance-apparel brand, where she most recently served as president and chief executive. Lululemon said she has more than 28 years of experience in athletic apparel and footwear, including over two decades at Nike. Her Nike roles included vice president and general manager of its North America women’s business, as well as leadership positions in running and tennis.
The newly created product post will bring together functions that oversee the company’s products from design and merchandising through innovation and materials science. Lululemon said the structure is intended to improve focus and speed from product planning to execution, and to support a pipeline of products it considers distinctive. Existing leaders in design and merchandising will report to Gauger.
In its announcement, O’Neill said the company needed to become stronger and more competitive, and described product, design and innovation as central to that effort. She said closer coordination among product, brand and the guest experience was intended to help rebuild the company’s connection with customers. Those are management objectives; the announcement did not set measurable product targets or provide a timeline for assessing results.
Operations move under a new chief
Godsey’s chief operating officer role is also newly created. He comes from Walmart Canada, where he was chief growth officer, and previously served as chief supply chain officer at Sam’s Club. Before that, he spent 15 years at Adidas in roles spanning digital commerce, retail, technology, marketing and supply chain.
Lululemon said the COO portfolio will include sourcing and production, commercialization, go-to-market, fulfillment, planning and allocations, and sustainability. The company described the role as a way to connect product and brand plans to the value chain, with the stated aims of improving execution and speed to market. Godsey’s appointment therefore addresses operational coordination alongside Gauger’s product remit.
The company also said chief financial officer Meghan Frank will take on expanded responsibilities during the transition. In addition to finance and strategy, Frank will temporarily oversee global brand and technology until permanent appointments are made. A search is separately underway for a chief strategy officer who will report to Frank.
Departures and searches leave roles unsettled
Nikki Neuburger, chief brand and product activation officer, and Ted Dagnese, chief supply chain officer, are set to leave Lululemon on November 6. The company said both would assist with the transition; it did not provide further details about their departures. The new executive structure includes searches for a chief brand officer, chief communications officer and chief technology officer.
The future brand chief will oversee brand marketing, creative, store experience and community activities, according to the company. The communications chief will report directly to O’Neill and join the senior leadership team. The technology post is intended to cover product and supply-chain technology as well as digital, data and cybersecurity functions.
Other senior leaders are staying in place: André Maestrini will continue as president and chief commercial officer, while Shannon Higginson remains chief legal and compliance officer and Susan Gelinas remains chief people and culture officer. Lululemon said these executives, along with Frank and the new appointees, will comprise its senior leadership team.
Turnaround effort faces product and competitive pressures
The appointments come as Lululemon faces challenges retaining momentum in a crowded athletic-apparel market. Reuters reported that the company has encountered product missteps that prompted consumer backlash and recalls, while also facing competition from newer rivals and changing preferences beyond its signature leggings. The company’s announcement framed the restructuring as an effort to improve product quality, brand connection and operational performance, rather than setting out specific near-term financial commitments.
Reuters also reported that Lululemon shares had lost nearly half their value so far in 2026 and were on track for a third consecutive annual decline. Data compiled by LSEG cited in the Reuters report indicated that net income was expected to fall nearly 40% this year compared with fiscal 2024. These figures underscore the financial pressure surrounding O’Neill’s effort, but the company’s leadership announcement did not offer revised earnings guidance.
Gauger and Godsey are due to take up their posts on October 26, followed by Neuburger’s and Dagnese’s departures on November 6. Lululemon has not said when it expects to complete the searches for brand, communications, technology or strategy leadership. The company’s next stated steps are those appointments and the transition to the new structure; the announcement did not specify additional milestones for gauging whether the reorganization improves results.
